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694
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not for the purpose of supporting the rails of the tramway,
but for supporting the paving.
As there is no aving in Hong Kong, concrete other than
the 18" beams is absolutely useless and unnecessary.
Having regard to all the circumstances and facts, we
cannot think that the Director of Public Works would be so
obdurate were it not for the fact that he is under the
impression that it is an instruction from your Department that
he is to insist upon the form of construction which involves
unnecessary expenditure.
We therefore trust that you will be able to see your way
to give early intimation to that gentleman that it is not the desire of your Department that any unnecessary expenditure
should be insisted upon in the construction of these tramways, particularly so as the constructing staff, together with a large quantity of material, is upon the spot and the work of constructing the lines cannot be proceeded with until this
matter is settled.
2
This matter is a most important one not only to our
clients, but to the Colony also, for it was the intention of our clients, with the consent of the Authorities, to further develop the Colony by constructing tramways in Kowloon and elsewhere, but if the Director of Public Works insists upon
the form of permanent way construction which entails unnecessary expenditure, no further developments are
possible.
We have the honour to be, Sir,
Yours faithfully,
Alfred & Co.